The Magic of Oz

Why not?" asked the boy, drawing back.

Because those monkeys are to be our army--the army which will

conquer Oz," said the Nome. "Sit down here with me, Kiki, and keep quiet,

and I will explain to you my plan."

Now, neither Kiki Aru nor Ruggedo had noticed that a sly Fox had

followed them all the way from the tree where the Goose had been

transformed to the Li-Mon-Eag. Indeed, this Fox, who was none other

than the Wizard of Oz, had witnessed the transformation of the Goose and

now decided he would keep watch on the conspirators and see what they

would do next.

A Fox can move through a forest very softly, without making any

noise, and so the Wizard's enemies did not suspect his presence. But when

they sat down by the edge of the clearing, to talk, with their backs toward

him, the Wizard did not know whether to risk being seen, by creeping

closer to hear what they said, or whether it would be better for him to hide

himself until they moved on again.

While he considered this question he discovered near him a great tree

which had a hollow trunk, and there was a round hole in this tree, about

three feet above the ground. The Wizard Fox decided it would be safer for

him to hide inside the hollow tree, so he sprang into the hole and crouched

down in the hollow, so that his eyes just came to the edge of the hole by

which he had entered, and from here he watched the forms of the two Li-

Mon-Eags.

This is my plan," said the Nome to Kiki, speaking so low that the

Wizard could only hear the rumble of his voice. "Since you can transform

anything into any form you wish, we will transform these monkeys into an

army, and with that army we will conquer the Oz people."

The monkeys won't make much of an army," objected Kiki.

We need a great army, but not a numerous one," responded the Nome.

You will transform each monkey into a giant man, dressed in a fine

uniform and armed with a sharp sword. There are fifty monkeys over there

and fifty giants would make as big an army as we need."

What will they do with the swords?" asked Kiki. "Nothing can kill the